Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics

and Related Information

PBTs

PBT pollutants are chemicals that are toxic, persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in food chains and, thus, pose risks to human health and ecosystems. The biggest concerns about PBTs are that they transfer rather easily among air, water, and land, and span boundaries of programs, geography, and generations. Mercury, dioxin and other chemicals listed listed below are PBTs. The EPA Persistent Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) Chemical Program offers the EPA’s comprehensive list of PBTs, technical information, resource links, and strategies and action plans for mitigation.

Mercury

Mercury

Information about mercury and how to eliminate mercury use.

Dioxin

Dioxin and Related Compounds

Information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on dioxin, including a draft dioxin reassessment document. “Skin rashes, liver damage, weight loss, and a reduction in the effectiveness of the immune system have all been attributed to human exposure to dioxins,” according to the U.S. EPA. Read the EPA position statement on dioxin and combustion. (PDF)

Dioxin

Information from Health Care Without Harm on dioxin, “a highly toxic and persistent family of chemicals that is an unintentional byproduct of medical waste incineration and PVC plastic production.”

“American Nurses Association “Reduction of Health Care Production of Toxic Pollution Resolution (PDF)

In 1997, the ANA House of Delegates called for the development of PVC product alternatives in their “Reduction of Health Care Production of Toxic

Pollution” resolution.

United American Nurses Resolution on Dioxin

In 2001 the United American Nurses resolved to educate nurses about the hazards and advocate for the phase-out of PVC and DEHP products in health care.

Prevention of Dioxin Generation from PVC Plastic Use By Health Care Facilities

In a 1996 policy statement, the American Public Health Association urged all health care facilities to explore ways to reduce or eliminate their use of PVC plastics, and called upon health care professionals to “encourage health care institutions with which they are associated to adopt policies that will lead toward the reduction and elimination of the use of PVC plastic products.”

Dioxins and Their Effects on Human Health

Information about dioxins, their sources, and their effects on human health from the World Health Organization.

List of Dioxin and Related Resolutions

Resolutions and shareholder MOUs on dioxin, PVC, DEHP, and medical waste incineration, compiled by Health Care Without Harm.

U.S. EPA Inventory of Sources of Dioxin in the United States

Regulations, incinerator closures and better waste management are reducing dioxin pollution in the U.S., according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Hexachlorobenzene

Hexachlorobenzene

Hexachlorobenzene is a probable human carcinogen; small quantities can be produced during combustion of municiapl waste.

PAHs

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

PAHs may reasonably be expected to be carcinogens. PAHs can be formed during the incineration of municipal waste.